Manufacturer: Patek Philippe Year: 1959 Reference No: 570 Movement No: 708’134 Case No: 309’137 Model Name: Calatrava Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 27 SC, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K gold Patek Philippe pin buckle Dimensions: 35mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by a Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production in 1959 and its subsequent sale on January 6th 1960 and Patek Philippe fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
First introduced in the late 1930s, the Patek Philippe ref. 570 is one of the most important references from the Calatrava line. Taking its inspiration from the ref. 96, the ref. 570 takes a slightly contemporized approach featuring an oversized case at the time measuring 35mm diameter, which was significantly larger than the ref. 96 with a case measuring 31mm diameter. The three-piece case with sharp edges and bevels were made by master casemaker Antoine Gerlach. Launched in series, the firm introduced two variants including one with small seconds and another with center seconds. Later examples produced after 1950 featured the firm’s upgraded cal. 27 SC and are dubbed as the second series.
The present example Patek Philippe ref. 570 with center seconds encased in yellow gold with a short signature belongs to an example from the second series. Offered in an absolute crisp and well-preserved state, the case boasts two hallmarks with sharp edges and bevels.
Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.
Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.